new ideas

Welcome to The Hope Theatre; a 50-seat venue above the world famous Hope and Anchor pub on Islington’s Upper Street.

Although The Hope Theatre receives no public subsidy, it was the first Off West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity, the UK’s largest performers union, to ensure a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre. Read more about it here

The Hope Theatre is a place for audiences and companies to explore new ideas. We nurture and develop new producing models, working with exciting companies to present a mix of new writing, lost gems from well-known writers, re-polished classics and innovatively staged musicals.

In its first 12 months, The Hope Theatre has seen a production transfer to the West End (Ushers to the Charing Cross Theatre) and has been home to 10 new plays, several supported by grant funding from Arts Council England. The Hope Theatre also housed the professional world premiere of Joe Orton’s Fred And Madge.

The Hope Theatre opened in November 2013, curated by the team at the award winning King’s Head Theatre. Artistic Director Matthew Parker took over in October 2014.

For more information on Equity’s “Low Pay, No Pay” campaign click here